4runner TRD Pro

[RECDOG]

lol.

Really that funny? Mm OK

I've owned many autos.. And what I stated I believe to be very true. Imo

not that funny

 

[1engineer]

To go ahead and diffuse this, there is no "better". It depends on your priorities. For the guy that is going to put his truck through hell, self built is probably better. That guy has a very specific criteria and will need to select parts to meet that criteria. For the casual offroader that just wants shit to work, the TRD pro will be excellent because Toyota's TRD engineers presumably did all the research to make the best factory package possible. Yes, it will cost more money than building your own setup. It also costs a lot more money to build a 5th gen SR5 into a serious off road rig than starting out with a SFA 1st gen 4Runner for a couple thousand bucks. It all depends on one's priorities.

I'm just ****ing happy that TRD is finally giving the 4Runner some attention. It seems like we've been ignored up until now. I also like the fact that Toyota is building an enthusiast's "brand". That means this kind of development will continue and continue to improve. It means that we might continue to see BOF SUVs instead of becoming the next Pathfinder or Explorer. Toyota can't please everyone, but if this package is as nice off the showroom floor as the T|X Baja, it will be a very good truck. Maybe the success of these packages will result in them realizing that there are enough buyers out there to justify a V8 or some of the other things that people here ask for.

I need to quit forums. So damn pessimistic. :dammit:

I agree and will take it a step further:
Right now, if you spend $2K on mods for your vehicle and you go to trade or sell your vehicle in a few years then that money you spent is wasted. Oh, you get to enjoy your mods and use them but when you go to sell or trade that money will not be counted as additive to your vehicle's worth. Why? Because everyone uses the original sticker price as a basis for future sales. There are a few exceptions but not many. Also there are a few buyers out there that are willing to pay more but they are extremely rare. Suffice to say that whatever you spend modding your vehicles goes away when trading or selling.

However if you buy a vehicle from the OEM that already has mods, like the TRD Pro, you will recoup some of that additional cost when you go to sell or trade because the sticker price is higher to begin with. Personally I would go with OEM mods. This is from a guy that used to mod my vehicles heavily. Now if you are going to keep a vehicle 15-20 years this is all a moot point and is meaningless to you. If you are like me and get a new vehicle every 2-4 years this becomes very important. Even 7-8 years from now this is applicable if you trade or sell. Here is how it works:

Ex: You have two 4Runners on the lot. One is a TE Premium and the other is a TRD Pro. Let's say the TRD pro costs, oh, let's SWAG a number and say $5K more on the sticker than the TE Premium. You look at this and know you can do the same mods for $3K to make exactly like the TRD Pro so you decide to buy the TE Premium and I buy the TE Pro. You then proceed to mod it and enjoy it and I just drive mine and enjoy it.
4 years later we see a nice 6th gen we like and go to trade. That $3K you spent on your mods will not be applied. It is likely they will go straight from book value so even though you enjoyed yours for the last 4 years you have no value for your effort. My trade will include that $5K I spent additional at the beginning. Do I come out ahead? Yes I will. In addition I get a warranty.

My whole point is this: [MENTION=48413]Quentin[/MENTION] makes the case that everyone is not the same. I agree. Some love to make their vehicle their own and do a great job doing it. Some, and I have seen a few on this website, try to make a nice looking and performing vehicle and fail miserably. I used to do a lot of modding. Others though, like me now, want to just buy it like we want it off the showroom floor and are willing to spend extra up front. I for one am glad Toyota stepped up and is offering something like this. It means they are trying to grow the 4Runner segment. Also, as I have shown in the example, just because you spend more up front does not mean it's a bad deal later. [MENTION=95578]2013Trail[/MENTION] and I had this debate awhile back. I expect him, and [MENTION=47936]Maz[/MENTION] and several others to chime in and I welcome the debate.

 

[philsey]

I'm just ****ing happy that TRD is finally giving the 4Runner some attention. It seems like we've been ignored up until now. I also like the fact that Toyota is building an enthusiast's "brand". That means this kind of development will continue and continue to improve. It means that we might continue to see BOF SUVs instead of becoming the next Pathfinder or Explorer.

Let's also recognize this shows toyota is taking a distinctly new direction with the 4runner. Both this model and new ads show they're marketing the 4r as a rugged/ capable SUV (especially with the FJ being gone) and not merely a family SUV.

To these points: Watching the TV last night, I noticed something I don't recall ever seeing before. It was a Toyota commercial, basically for TLC, and it featured quick blips of 3 vehicles: first a 4R LE !!, a Highlander, and (I forget) Camry maybe? These blips ran twice during the comml, thus I saw the 4R 2 times.

I was truly surprised to see this, and encouraged that Toyota is giving some love to the 4R.

I also believe that the TRD/P is intended to appeal to the hole left by the FJC. Smart.

 

[mdogg]

I was truly surprised to see this, and encouraged that Toyota is giving some love to the 4R.

I also believe that the TRD/P is intended to appeal to the hole left by the FJC. Smart.

Definitely agree that it's good to see some marketing behind it.

Not so sure it's really a FJC gap-filler. Maybe as far as capability is concerned, then yes - a gap-filler.

Unfortunately, it will probably also cost around the same as a Limited - substituting most of the comfort/luxury for offroad ability and exclusivity. The FJC's appeal, or at least part of it, was the affordability to leave room for personalization and modifications. I think the FJC was around $30k while the TRD Pro will likely be in the $40k ballpark.

 

[Mtn.Rush]

I love the look of it! 1engineer is spot on, I am not a mechanical mod'er so this would fit right into my wheel house. If I still had my 2010 LE I would of been down to Toyta already trying to order a Black TRD Pro. When this first came about I called my guy at Toyota to see if he had any info and he just laughed and asked "so when are you ordering one?" My reply was simple....Cant and wont part with my Land Cruiser and the V8.

 

[Rubberdown]

I agree and will take it a step further:
Right now, if you spend $2K on mods for your vehicle and you go to trade or sell your vehicle in a few years then that money you spent is wasted.

All of this is assuming unlike me you have the 5k extra up front. For me, I have to spread costs out over time because I live in a cardboard box in the middle if the road. Also, If you do tires your closer to $2800.00. That is food for thought. In my head it was a lot less than that. And you still don't have trick wheels, floor mats, or the cool grill. I get 1engineer's point IF you can afford to shell out the cash all at once.

On the cheap Trd pro equivalent

5100 front. $200
5160 rear $400
Custom springs $400
Skid plate. $350

Install. $500

285 tires. $1000

Total. $2850

 

[1engineer]

All of this is assuming unlike me you have the 5k extra up front. For me, I have to spread costs out over time because I live in a cardboard box in the middle if the road. Also, If you do tires your closer to $2800.00. That is food for thought. In my head it was a lot less than that. And you still don't have trick wheels, floor mats, or the cool grill. I get 1engineer's point IF you can afford to shell out the cash all at once.

On the cheap Trd pro equivalent

5100 front. $200
5160 rear $400
Custom springs $400
Skid plate. $350

Install. $500

285 tires. $1000

Total. $2850

Hey, I just took the tail lights off my house last fall. #wvmansion

 

[Jesse1983]

Ex: You have two 4Runners on the lot. One is a TE Premium and the other is a TRD Pro. Let's say the TRD pro costs, oh, let's SWAG a number and say $5K more on the sticker than the TE Premium. You look at this and know you can do the same mods for $3K to make exactly like the TRD Pro so you decide to buy the TE Premium and I buy the TE Pro. You then proceed to mod it and enjoy it and I just drive mine and enjoy it.
4 years later we see a nice 6th gen we like and go to trade. That $3K you spent on your mods will not be applied. It is likely they will go straight from book value so even though you enjoyed yours for the last 4 years you have no value for your effort. My trade will include that $5K I spent additional at the beginning. Do I come out ahead? Yes I will. In addition I get a warranty.

I hate to disagree with you Greg out of fear of what's to come. that being said, here it goes.

using round numbers as well - I buy my TE for $35,000, you buy your TRD Pro for $40,000. I buy $3,000 worth of suspension upgrades and enjoy the hell out of them. 4 years later we each drove the same amount of miles and are each ready for a new 4Runner. The difference is I take all my after market suspension parts off and either sell them, or hope they fit the new Runner. Either way I will make some money back on the parts, or use them again, thus not have to buy parts for the new Runner. Plus the depreciation will be more on a higher purchase price and will likely result in a lower relative value after the 4 years.

it wouldn't be an appropriate [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] response without a chart:

 

[philsey]

All of this is assuming unlike me you have the 5k extra up front. For me, I have to spread costs out over time because I live in a cardboard box in the middle if the road. Also, If you do tires your closer to $2800.00. That is food for thought. In my head it was a lot less than that. And you still don't have trick wheels, floor mats, or the cool grill. I get 1engineer's point IF you can afford to shell out the cash all at once.

On the cheap Trd pro equivalent

5100 front. $200
5160 rear $400
Custom springs $400
Skid plate. $350

Install. $500


285 tires. $1000

Total. $2850

Toyota warranty = priceless

Hassle-free subsequent work = priceless +1

 

[Orc]

this is just a last-ditch marketing effort before they redesign these models anyone can see that they're just trying to sell more of the Tacoma and other dated models. when they have to redesign a model to retain market share they lose money. the more they can sell of a current design without new engineering the more money they make

 

[1engineer]

I hate to disagree with you Greg out of fear of what's to come. that being said, here it goes.

using round numbers as well - I buy my TE for $35,000, you buy your TRD Pro for $40,000. I buy $3,000 worth of suspension upgrades and enjoy the hell out of them. 4 years later we each drove the same amount of miles and are each ready for a new 4Runner. The difference is I take all my after market suspension parts off and either sell them, or hope they fit the new Runner. Either way I will make some money back on the parts, or use them again, thus not have to buy parts for the new Runner. Plus the depreciation will be more on a higher purchase price and will likely result in a lower relative value after the 4 years.

it wouldn't be an appropriate [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] response without a chart:

Very good argument! Yes, I see it your way too and the chart just puts it over the top. The entire premise of my argument though was to trade it in "as you drove it."

 

[BamaRunner]

This is a great debate. Good info.

Historically....Toyota generally redesigns the 4R after 6 or 7 years. Do you guys anticipate a 6th gen around 2017?? As much as I would love to trade my 2010 LE on a 2015 TRD Pro....if they are just gonna redesign in 2017 then it would make more sense for me to pay off the 2010 and give it to my son when I buy a 6th gen.

 

[Rubberdown]

Man Jesse I am going to have to show my wife that chart!

 

[BamaRunner]

Should have said......"Make my son work and make good grades and show some initiative and responsibility and then CONSIDER letting him drive it".

 

[03_4x4Runner]

What a joke Toyota still does not put good recovery hooks on this 4runner.

 

[T4Ranger]

I hate to disagree with you Greg out of fear of what's to come. that being said, here it goes.

using round numbers as well - I buy my TE for $35,000, you buy your TRD Pro for $40,000. I buy $3,000 worth of suspension upgrades and enjoy the hell out of them. 4 years later we each drove the same amount of miles and are each ready for a new 4Runner. The difference is I take all my after market suspension parts off and either sell them, or hope they fit the new Runner. Either way I will make some money back on the parts, or use them again, thus not have to buy parts for the new Runner. Plus the depreciation will be more on a higher purchase price and will likely result in a lower relative value after the 4 years.

it wouldn't be an appropriate [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] response without a chart:

most people aren't paying 35k for a TE... they're paying more... and more 4runner's are depreciating at less than 10% a year... your chart is skewed to favor your argument :ear:

 

[Jesse1983]

most people aren't paying 35k for a TE... they're paying more... and more 4runner's are depreciating at less than 10% a year... your chart is skewed to favor your argument :ear:

the theoretical price of $35,000 was used as a starting price to differentiate a trail from a TRD Pro. Change the price of the trail to $40,000 and the TRD Pro to $45,000, and average depreciation to 10% per year and the results are about the same. sorry, no skewing here :bored:

 

[Quentin]

IMO, a modded truck has lower value than a stock truck. I'm going to assume the modded truck was being beat on. I'm going to look for the TE or TRD Pro driven by the guy that liked the look rather than the guy that built his own rig and took it back to stick. I'll pay a premium for the stock truck with service records.

I'm half considering an e36 M3 as a holdover until I get an FR-S. Finding one that hasn't been dumped and modded is proving difficult; the clean, stock ones command about $5k more on the used market all else the same. I imagine that the Pros and TEs will carry a solid premium over an SR5 or Limited in 5 years.

 

[Jeremy556]

What a joke Toyota still does not put good recovery hooks on this 4runner.

What's wrong with them?

 

[Quentin]

What's wrong with them?

They are attached to a 5th gen instead of a 4th gen. :lalala: